NEWS ARCHIVE

'I wish we approached it differently:' Roethlisberger issues statement on Steelers decision not to take field during National Anthem

"I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday."

'I wish we approached it differently:' Roethlisberger issues statement on Steelers decision not to take field during National Anthem

"I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday."

WEBVTT HEYWARDMINUTES AFTER TODAY'S TEAMMEETING.REPORTER: GOOD MOANING.THOSE WERE THE ONLY TWO PLAYERSrtMADE AVAILABLE SO FAR THISEVENING BY THE STEELERS.WE WERE NOT ABLE TO ASKALEJANDRO VILLANUEVA ANYQUESTIONS.OF COURSE WE KNOW THAT YESTERDAYCOACH TOMLIN HAD SAID HE rtWANTEDTO STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS BYHAVING THE TEAM STAY IN THELOCKER ROOM, BUT SENSING THEBACKLASH THAT HAS ERUPTEDOVERNIGHT BIG BENrt AND CAMHEYWARD STRIKING A VERY COCONCILIATORY TONE THISAFTERNOON.>> WE FELT THE BEST THING THATEVERYONE WAS ON BOARD WITH WASSTANDING IN THE TUNNEL DURINGTHErt ANTHEM.REPORTER: BEN ROETHLISBERGERTRYING TO CLARIFY WHAT HAPPENEDSUNDAY IN CHICAGO SAYING FIRSTOFF THAT HE WISHES HE COULD HAVEBEEN ON THE FIELD BUT THE TEAMCLOSE THE TUNNEL TrtO BE UNIFIED.PERHAPS THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAYTODAY PW EPBEN AND CAM HEYWARDrtSAYING ALEJANDRO VILLANUEVASTANDING ALONE WAS UNINTENDED.HE SAYS HE AND BEN WANTED TOSTAND WITH ALEJANDRO VILLANUEVA,rtBUT THEY GOT CAUGHT BEHIND BEARSFANS.>> THERE WAS NO DIVISION THERE.WE WERE 20 FEET BEHIND HIM.YOU CAN SEE IN THE FIRST WE ARESTANDING THERE.REPORTER:rt ROETHLISBERGER ANDHAYWARD REPEATEDLY STRESSINGTHEY RESPECT THE MILITARY.THAT IS FALLING ON DEAF EARS OrtNSOCIAL MEDIA THAT ARE PERCEIVINGTHE TUNNEL MOVE AS UNPATRIOTIC.>> WE CARE ABOUT OUR MILITARYAND THE TROOPS.REPORTERrt: ROETHLISBERGER MAKINGONE THING CLEAR, HE AND THEENTIRE TEAM WILL BE ON THE FIELDTHIS SUNDAY.>> WE PLAN TO BE ON THE FIELD INBALTIMORE.REPORTER: THEY WILL STAY rtON THEFIELD FOR THE ANANTHEM AND ANYOTHER GAMES.HE WISHED HE HAD BEEN ON THErtFIELD HE SAID VERSUS THE BEARS.THE STEELERS SAY THAT ONE MOREPERSON IS GOING TO SPEAK TO THEMEDIA TONIGHT.WE ARE NOT SURE WHO THAT IS JUSTYET.THAT REMAINS A MYSTERY.COrtMING UP AT 6:00, HOW MUCH DOESTHIS REALLY MANY PACKET THESTEELERS' BRAND?WE'LL TALK TO AN EXPERT ABOUTTHE STEELERS SHOULD BE WORRIED.

'I wish we approached it differently:' Roethlisberger issues statement on Steelers decision not to take field during National Anthem

"I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday."

PITTSBURGH —

The Steelers decided not to take the field during the National Anthem on Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger issued a statement on Monday sharing his thoughts on the decision.

"I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday. The idea was to be unified as a team when so much attention is paid to things dividing our country, but I wish we approached it differently. We did not want to appear divided on the sideline with some standing and some kneeling or sitting.

As a team, it was not a protest of the flag or the Anthem. I personally don’t believe the Anthem is ever the time to make any type of protest. For me, and many others on my team and around the league, it is a tribute to those who commit to serve and protect our country, current and past, especially the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.

I appreciate the unique diversity in my team and throughout the league and completely support the call for social change and the pursuit of true equality. Moving forward, I hope standing for the Anthem shows solidarity as a nation, that we stand united in respect for the people on the front lines protecting our freedom and keeping us safe. God bless those men and women."